I hate to drop this one on you guys since I'm sure you get these questions too often but I am running out of time to make a purchase and my knowledge of cars is very limited and want to make sure my money is invested wisely.

I've always owned older volvos, from 67'-89' and will never buy another make, currently I'm in the process of looking at a few 850 turbo wagons with low mileage (100k or under), years 94-96, and was wondering if there is anything in particular that I should keep my eyes out for or questions I should ask the owners aside from the obvious. I have read the buyers guide sticky in this forum and have made notes of that information. Any links to specific information or tips you can post on buying a used 850 volvo here would be great.

Also, never owning a newer volvo, are these just as reliable and long lasting as the 240 and 740 series when well maintained?

Thanks a lot

 

I've been reading through the "N00b here....some maintenance questions" and it has a LOT of information in it. This website is a gem.

 

If you can, try to find an "R", "T5-R" or "T5" wagons.

Make sure to have a possible buy inspected by an ASE-certified Master Technician, preferably at a dealer or an independent shop that specialises in Swedish/Euro makes.

If you can find one that is in good condition, note that you still would have to spend some $, as the 850s are starting to show age. However, I personally believe that money would be well worth it as Volvos seem to last as long or even longer than Toyota or Honda, if treated right.

Best of luck finding a decent 850 turbo wagon.


JPN

EDIT: This reply has been edited for better accuracy.

 

depending on where you live, you may have access to to a Volvo indy shop that should charge you a nominal fee to check out the car. Then again, the shop may have cars for sale. I got lucky that there is a shop about 15 minutes from me and the guyis honest, straightforward and easy to work with. plus it doesn't hurt that should I ever need his services, he only charges $50/hr.

 

The best aadvice I can give is to "go with your gut". If something doesn't look or feel quite right, it probably isn't. A lot of buyers get into the "I got to have this car" mode and ignore problems.

 

Not true JPN. The Low Pressure Turbo did not come out until 97 and it was on the 850 GLT only. The V/S70 GLT and V70 XC also use the LPT. The 94, 95 Turbo and the 96, 97 T5 all have the High Pressure Turbo. The 95 T5R and the 96,97 850 R have the HPT along with some other bells and whistles along with a different computer chip to give the 240HP. The non-R model turbos give 222HP and the LPT gives 198HP.

 

Thank you guys, I spent the greater part of last night scanning back many pages of this forum looking for similar topics and JPN has responded to almost all of them.
I know about the "r" wagons but they are hard to find from my experience and are usually priced higher than what I want to spend... but I LOVE that interior *WOW*.

You will probably be seeing more of me after I find a car.

 

Wow you guys are up early

222hp is more than I'll need. My last car was ~135HP and the one before this was a 122 wagon, 112HP I think? I'm going to check one out this morning that has very low miles >60k , can't wait to drive it.

 

great, hope you find what you are looking for! just keep in mind even if you find a sound mechanical car, the interior doesnt hold up well...at least not in humid Houston, Tx....

 

I see, thanks for the correction Jim. When it comes to T5-Rs & Rs, you & Tech are the bests!


JPN

 

Just don't let it happen again. Really I felt kind of bad correcting you, but I think you know me well enough to know I was just trying to get the information correct and not anything more than that.

I wish I knew half as much as tech about Volvos. Most of what I know about fixing them just comes from reading most of his responses to people. Now my son in law, the mechanic, comes to me to diagnose his problems with their Volvo. He asked me something the other day and I knew the answer right off the top of my head cause I had seen it so many times on this board.

 

I looked at three,but could only buy one.

1996 850 turbo wagon 58,XXX miles. Interior is great, paint has a few small dings that will be fixed up by a detailer (a friend) soon.
One owner , full service records w/ clean carfax report.
Going by the records it seems like the owner held nothing back and replaced or maintained parts as soon as they were noticed. The only thing I did not see in the records was a timing belt replacement which I've been reading is very important before 70k miles or every 5 years, so its been under 60k ,but 12 years... I'm guessing that I should get this done ASAP?

The only things wrong with the car that the owner told me about and that I have seen so far is the rear hatch does not stay open by itself, 2 of the 3 volvos I've owned had this problem... very common? And the light that lights up the auto gear indicators does not work, I don't see that as a problem at all.


Plenty of information on here to help me along, but you'll probably be seeing more of me .

 

Sounds like a winner to me! Do get the timing belt done soon though. That's a really old belt on there right now. Next we need pictures.

 

yep, pix and how much it cost you...always good to know in case others want to post a similar thread but read yours first...

 

+1 for the timing belt, its pulleys & tensioner.

The rear gate/trunk lid holdingpiston rodsare known to retire. The OEM is Stabilus of Germany and I got mine at Pep Boys.


JPN

 

Owner was asking $5900, I got it for $5200. What do you guys think? Based off kelly blue book and edmunds and from what I've been seeing locally for sale for the last ~month, I think I got a pretty good deal. Most cars were 120k miles w/ no cd player and some paint/body dmg for only about 1,000 less.

I have a friend who owns a chevron station who has worked on quite a few of these volvos, atleast it sounds like it when I was talking to him. Is it a bad idea to have the timing belt serviced there, or should I be taking this to a volvo mechanic? A friend also recommened I get the water pump changed while they're doing the timing belt since they'll be near it.

The rear hatch works 'sometimes' from what I've seen so far, just like my 740... I would like to get this fixed eventually.
I opened up the sunroof by accident last night - thats having some issues closing too. I'll write a more detailed topic about that one later.


I'll get some pictures for you guys soon. Thanks again for the help.

 

Sounds like a good deal. I like to take my cars to Volvo mechanics, but to be honest I would not be afraid to do the timing belt myself or with my son or son in law. I think any decent mechanic that has worked on these cars at all could do the timing belt. I just wouldn't go to a place like Goodyear, Midas or someplace like that.

 

Just had my timing belt, tensioner, etc. replaced on my S60. Used a local shop with a reputation for working on European cars. Did a good job and even gave me a break on the cost of parts, compared to what Volvo wanted to charge.

Price sounds really good for that car. I don't think you got taken at all. I've seen hatch repair kits on ebay. Check them out. It should be a pretty easy fix.

Congratulations on your purchase.

 

Thanks jks2I am very happy with the car, its a lot of fun to drive - this brick has some pickup! If you don't mind.. how much did that timing belt work cost you? Should I get the pully's done at the same time?

If I write up the history of work for the last few years would you guys be able to give me some advice on recommened work that I should get done?

 

Yes we should be able to recommend you what services may need to be done. Some servicing may need asap, while others can be deferred until later or when you can afford them.

If you decide to use non-dealer or specialised independent shop, make sure that they use OEM parts. The hydraulic tensioner can be replaced at every other belt change, but since you replace the belt only once every 70,000 miles or 5 years, I usually do them all as a peace of mind. The water pump seems to lastvery long time, so some people don't replace it unless it is leaking. Mine was leaking just a bit of coolant so I replaced with one made by German supplier called HEPU.

Let us know the condition of the car. Visual inspection is a good way to start, but I bet all fluids should be changed, except the power steering fluid. I cannot comment on the transmission fluid at the moment, without knowing the history of the car (in some cases, the introduction of fresh ATF can wash off sludge, which may block tiny fluid passages in the transmission). If the ATF has never been changed and if it looks clear red and does not have burnt smell to it, you may want to leave it alone.

Here's a reference:
https://volvoforums.com/m_48928/tm.htm


JPN